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Railroad Night XIII & Rail Day/Expo 2017

Railroad Night XIII & 4th Annual Rail Deay/Expo

October 3 and 4, 2017

The Rail Transportation Program (RTP), in conjunction with the Railroad Engineering and Activities Club (REAC) and with support from the RTP Program Partner, CN Railway, were proud to host Michigan Tech's 4th Annual Rail Expo and 13th Annual Rail Night on Oct. 3 and 4.

Dual showcase events, Railroad Night and Expo, bring together industry professionals and students interested in the industry. The unique blend of panel discussion, social hours, dinner, keynote and displays on the campus mall catalyzed relationships between the students of Michigan Tech and the Railroad Industry. These marquee events are a cornerstone of our mission to develop leaders and technology for the 21st century in railroad transportation.

Railroad Night XIII was held on the evening of Oct. 3, kicking off our showcase events where railroad industry professionals and Michigan Tech students mingled and discovered the possibilities of a career in the railroad industry. Starting out with a "Meet the Industry" panel of 10 industry professionals, a battery of questions from both the moderator and audience allowed students to discover the railroad industry, take advice and hear some interesting stories out of the industry.

Afterwards, students and professionals mingled for the social hour, which was a great opportunity for students and the industry to get to know each other further, with discussions about internships, full-time positions or points about the industry in general. This more relaxed atmosphere is always conducive to productive discussions in an industry-focused environment, a perennial favorite of Michigan Tech Students. Following the social hour was dinner and the keynote address by Kevin Riddett, the CEO of Railworks. Speaking of his career and experiences in multiple roles throughout various industries, Riddett imparted sage advice and plenty of stories to the audience over a dinner filled with more interaction between the industry and Michigan Tech students interested in a career in rail.

Special thanks to Railworks and Herzog Railroad Services, for sponsoring the Railroad Night XIII 4th Annual Rail Expo on Oct. 4. The fourth Annual Rail Expo was held on the Campus Mall, allowing the industry to demonstrate their companies and technologies, and to recruit Michigan Tech students.

For students, the event offered a great chance to discuss opportunities in the industry with representatives and recruiters, with more than a dozen companies on display and twice as many industry professionals ready to discuss who they are and what they do. While many Michigan Tech students are already interested in a career in rail, the Expo provides a catalyst for new students to get interested and involved within one of the nation's most diverse and thriving transportation industries.

Every year, Michigan Tech's Rail Night and Expo events culminate in a number of internships and full-time careers. With nearly 200 students passing through the Expo or attending Railroad Night, this year's events continued the success initiated almost a decade ago.

We look forward to next year and continuing our mission to grow and develop students for careers in the railroad industry. We would also like to thank our sponsors and industry supporters for their generous contributions.

The social hour between the industry member panel and the main event is a great place for students and industry members to mingle, talking internships, full-time positions, or just talk railroading!

Safety is number one in railroading, and also at the Rail Transportation Program. As the event begins, Otto Freiburg, RTP's first graduate with the Rail Transportation Minor, holds the safety briefing.

Over 100 students, faculty and industry members were on hand for this year's Railroad Night XIII

Aaron Dean, President of the Railroad Engineering and Activities Club, delivers remarks from the student perspective. Also, a shout-out to our program sponsor, CN Railway!

Tim Hoeffner, an MTU Graduate, currently serves as the Director of MDOT's Office of Rail. He was presented with an honorary REAC membership, in recognition for his efforts and support of the Rail Program here at Michigan Tech. Thanks, Tim for your support!

Tim Hoeffner, an MTU Graduate, currently serves as the Director of MDOT's Office of Rail. He was presented with an honorary REAC membership, in recognition for his efforts and support of the Rail Program here at Michigan Tech. Thanks, Tim for your support!

Thanks to Herzog and RailWorks for sponsoring Railroad Night - including a great dinner!

More time for discussion before the keynote. We design our seating lists so that each table has a balanced mix of students and railroad industry members, providing an excellence chance for dialogue!

Kevin Riddett, CEO of Railworks, was our keynote speaker this year. He discussed his experiences in the railroad industry and the challenges he's faced throughout his career, offering some sage advice to students - and everybody else! Thanks, Mr. Riddett!

With many years now in the history books for the Rail Transportation Program, there are dozens of alumni out working in the railroad industry. We're always excited to see them return, and Railroad Night and Expo tends to draw a bunch each year. Welcome back, Alum!

Student Admission for Railroad Night includes entry into a raffle for a number of smaller prizes, as well as a few headlining giveaways. This year, we raffled off two gift cards to the Campus Bookstore, as well as a one-day snowmobile rental certificate, won by Derek Owen, a 5th Year Student and Rail Program veteran.